Podcast
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
Hosted by Arthur Brooks · EN
Hi Friends, I’m Arthur Brooks, a social scientist, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, columnist at The Free Press. I write, speak, and teach about the science of human happiness, blending neuroscience, behavioral science, philosophy, and religion for insights on how to live better and be happier. Each week on Office Hours, you’ll get a glimpse into the cutting edge research on happiness, and explore how you can use it to improve your life—and share what you learn with those you love. Join me in the movement to build a happier world–starting with you.
49episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Stop Dating the Wrong Person
2d ago00:42:28Summary readyFinding the right person is hard. Being attracted to the wrong one is just as common.In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why some people find themselves stuck in the same dating patterns over and over again, pursuing partners who are unavailable, manipulative, emotionally destructive, or struggling with addiction. I explain why attraction can override good judgment, why certain personality types are especially alluring, and how to learn from past mistakes and create healthier patterns in love.This episode focuses on choosing the right person in the first place. If you haven't yet listened to my episode, 3 Rules to Fall in Love and Stay in Love, I recommend it as a companion to this conversation. Together, they offer a roadmap for both finding love and building a lasting relationship.—Brought to you by:• LMNT—A science-backed electrolyte drink mix that helps you feel and perform your best, without sugar, artificial ingredients, or gimmicks. Get a free sample pack at DrinkLMNT.com/Arthur —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/ • Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(05:19) Why dating feels so difficult(06:29) Dating Groundhog Day(10:12) Attraction to unavailable people(15:25) Substance abuse(18:29) The Dark Triad(20:56) How the Dark Triad reels you in(25:52) Why we ignore red flags(27:19) Dating strategy #1: Stop relying on others' judgment(28:48) Dating strategy #2: Address your emophilia(30:16) Dating strategy #3: Expand your time horizon(32:10) Dating strategy #4: Don’t focus on looks and status(33:21) Dating strategy #5: Look in the right place(35:15) Dating strategy #6: Stop looking for your ex(37:29) Dating strategy #7: Stop romanticizing doomed love(39:00) Q&A: How to reconcile being on your phone to learn more(40:15) Q&A: The value of fun leisure—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Say Dating Has Gotten Harder for Most People in the Last 10 Years: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/08/20/nearly-half-of-u-s-adults-say-dating-has-gotten-harder-for-most-people-in-the-last-10-years• Groundhog Day: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048• Mate Choice Copying in Humans: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26181063/ • The ability to judge the romantic interest of others: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19076319• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryThe Real Cost of Family Estrangement
1w ago00:49:23Summary readyFamily estrangement is strangely common—affecting one-third of American adults today. While cutting ties can bring temporary relief, research suggests that, over time, it often resembles grief.In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why family, one of the four pillars of happiness, is central to meaning, what is driving the rise in estrangement, and why conflicts over values and identity have become so difficult to repair. Most importantly, I discuss what it actually takes to mend broken relationships: the difference between healthy boundaries and permanent rupture, and the two qualities that help families overcome deep disagreement and stay connected. —Brought to you by:• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/ • Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(05:09) Why family estrangement feels so painful(15:57) How common is family estrangement(19:30) Why family estrangement happens(27:07) The rise of the “no-contact” movement(31:34) What the data shows about going no-contact (35:07) The two ingredients every family needs(36:20) What tolerance really means(37:43) Why forgiveness is essential in families(39:20) The hidden incentives behind encouraging family division(41:32) Q&A: Finding reciprocity in friendships(43:38) Q&A: Attachment styles and finding love(46:03) Q&A: Meeting a future spouse in person—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-of-your-life • Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• Family Estrangement Is a Tragedy: https://www.thefp.com/p/arthur-brooks-family-estrangement-is-a-tragedy• What Makes Life Meaningful? Views From 17 Advanced Economies: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/18/what-makes-life-meaningful-views-from-17-advanced-economies/• Matthew 5:44: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A44• Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them: https://www.amazon.com/Fault-Lines-Fractured-Families-Mend/dp/0525539034• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryThe Diet Protocols for Happiness
2w ago00:45:35Summary readyWe obsess over diets, fasting, and weight-loss drugs in the name of health. But we rarely ask a more important question: what kind of eating actually makes us happier?In this episode of Office Hours, I explore what the science say about the relationship between food and well-being. Eating gives us pleasure, but meals bring deeper enjoyment when they also combine people and memories. I explore what that means in practice along with seven other practical rules for “happy eating.”In the end, happiness at the table depends less on the food than the company. As my Spanish wife likes to say: the point of eating is not the food—it’s the love.—Brought to you by:• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/ • Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(09:55) Why eating is pleasurable—and why pleasure alone does not create happiness(13:56) Two ways to turn pleasure into enjoyment(17:12) How both positive and negative emotions influence eating(18:43) Why eating moderately often is linked to greater happiness(22:14) Dietary patterns associated with greater happiness(25:19) What the research shows about alcohol and well-being(28:16) Junk food’s impact on mood and well-being(30:08) The pros and cons of a vegetarian diet(32:19) Why crash diets are bad for your well-being and happiness(35:59) Time-restricted eating and GLP-1 drugs(37:13) #1: Balance across a variety of foods(37:46) #2: Emphasize proteins and fats(37:58) #3: Avoid junk food and refined sweets(38:11) #4: Moderate alcohol consumption(38:24) #5: No recreational drinking(38:34) #6: Avoid obesity without starving yourself(38:49) #7: Organized, regular, formal meal times(39:00) #8: Meals in the company of others(40:19) Q&A: The neuroscience behind how books affect our brains(42:53) Q&A: Leisure vs. Sabbath —Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• The pleasure of food: underlying brain mechanisms of eating and other pleasures: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13411-014-0029-2• Health, Happiness and Eating Together: What Can a Large Thai Cohort Study Tell Us?: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4802060• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Summary4 Ways to Get Better at Friendship
3w ago00:47:37Summary readyWe spend much of our lives building our careers. We chase success, recognition, and expansive networks—yet despite all of it, many of us still experience a quiet, persistent loneliness.In this episode of Office Hours, I turn to Aristotle and his work, the Nicomachean Ethics, to ask an age-old question: what makes a good friend? I’ll explore Aristotle’s three types of friendship, and suggest something that sounds counterintuitive: the best of friends are perfectly useless. I also share four practical ways to deepen the friendships you already have, and cultivate more of these useless relationships that create real meaning, deeper happiness, and a life well lived. —Brought to you by:• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/ • Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(06:32) Why close friendships are essential to happiness(11:42) What a healthy friendship ecosystem looks like (14:54) Aristotle’s three types of friendship(23:57) Real friends vs. deal friends(31:17) Friendship step #1: Give yourself a friendship checkup(32:39) Friendship step #2: Identify the people who truly know you(35:06) Friendship step #3: Go deep or go home(38:24) Friendship step #4: Make more friends that you don’t need(41:32) Q&A: Adjusting to home after a year abroad (44:12) Q&A: Building better habits —Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• Why You Should Want to Be Alone: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/07/hermit-solitude-benefits-happiness/678955• I Matter to My Friend, Therefore I am Happy: Friendship, Mattering, and Happiness: https://experts.nau.edu/en/publications/i-matter-to-my-friend-therefore-i-am-happy-friendship-mattering-a• Friendship and personality as predictors of happiness: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-006-9012-7 •The average American has three best friends: https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/friends-adults-american-how-to-friendship-difficulty-a8906861.html • Social Support, Social Strain, Loneliness, and Well-Being Among Older Adults: An Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-05698-001• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryStop Trying to be Perfect
May 1100:43:48Summary readySometimes, the most insidious thing someone can tell you to make you feel better is the age-old phrase, “but you’re perfect!” While research suggests this may ease emotional pain temporarily, it might actually be holding you back from growth and, consequently, satisfaction.In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why we avoid uncomfortable truths when feeling down, and why the better path towards fulfillment is honest self-acceptance—embracing your imperfections, and taking on the challenge to improve.—Brought to you by:• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/ • Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(06:50) The psychology of self-enhancement bias(10:39) Who suffers most from self-enhancement bias(15:50) Why we protect others with comforting lies(17:16) What the research shows about self-enhancement bias(22:57) #1: You’re not perfect but you’re normal(25:37) #2: Accept yourself(27:05) #3: Work to improve(30:03) #4: Don’t blame other people(32:05) #5: Reframe imperfections as puzzles(35:48) Q&A: People pleasing and happiness(37:33) Q&A: Finding time for happiness in a busy life(39:24) Q&A: Teaching happiness habits to young children—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• I'm OK--You're OK: The Pioneering and Bestselling Self-Help Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Im-OK-Youre-OK-Thomas-Harris/dp/0060724277• Taking time seriously. A theory of socioemotional selectivity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10199217• Comparative perceptions of driver ability--a confirmation and expansion: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3730094• The Illusion of Moral Superiority: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5641986• Age and the better‐than‐average effect: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-10557-008• The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is selective for pain: Results from large-scale reverse inference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26582792• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryHow to Enjoy Your Life
May 400:36:06Summary readyWant to miss (or forget) life’s sweetest moments? Easy: don’t savor anything. My late mother, an artist, knew this was a terrible strategy for happiness. Through her art, she was an expert at savoring—and the first to teach me its benefits.In this episode of Office Hours, I connect her lesson to what we now know from behavioral science: because of our built-in negativity bias, we tend to overlook positive experiences unless we make an effort to notice them. I’ll share three simple ways to do that—so you can experience your life more deeply, remember it more clearly, and find meaning even in the hard moments.Want to go deeper on this—and other ideas from the podcast—and actually put them into practice? If you’re ready to do that work in person, I’ve partnered with MEA, a transformational science-backed retreat center, to bring these principles to life through a series of retreats in Santa Fe. You can find the details at retreats.arthurbrooks.com.—Brought to you by:• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur—Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(09:52) What savoring really is(10:39) How savoring affects your brain and body(14:54) How savoring shapes your memory(17:16) Negativity bias and why it’s hard to savor(20:18) #1: Savor in all three time zones(24:34) #2: Expand your savoring techniques(27:21) #3: How I do it–what are you looking forward to(29:12) How to savor difficult experiences to support growth(31:19) Q&A: Making space for relationships in a demanding season of work(32:39) Q&A: Finding a religion that resonates(34:08) Q&A: Finding a calling—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• Savoring the past: Positive memories evoke value representations in the striatum: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4254527• The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mindfulness-Introduction-Practice-Meditation/dp/0807012394• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryHow to Manage Grief
Apr 2700:40:50Summary readyGrief is part of the human experience. If you love, you will lose. And when you do, the pain is inescapable. It can be disorienting, overwhelming, and in the case of acute grief, the symptoms can even resemble something like psychosis.In this episode of Office Hours, I explore what grief actually is, how it is lived and felt by those who are bereaved, and why these reactions—however unsettling—are not signs of dysfunction. They are, in fact, evidence of something profoundly good: the depth of our love and devotion to one another.The aim is not to eliminate grief—that is neither possible nor desirable—but to approach it with understanding. In doing so, we can move toward our suffering rather than away from it, extend compassion to others walking a similar path, and begin to discover meaning within our loss.—Brought to you by:• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur—Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro (05:13) The story of Itaru Sasaki’s wind phone (07:26) What grief is (09:33) Grief vs. bereavement (10:03) Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief and newer research (14:42) The brain’s response to grief (18:24) How long does it take to get through grief (20:45) Post-traumatic growth and the five areas that often improve (23:45) #1. Look for meaning (26:56) #2. Change your identity (29:15) #3. Adopt rituals (30:53) #4. Let yourself be happy again (32:10) #5. Help others with grief (34:10) Q&A: How failure helps your career (35:24) Q&A: Getting married in a church after leaving it (37:24) Q&A: Breaking the cycle of self-blame —Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur• My Wind Phone (wind phone directory): https://www.mywindphone.com• Treatment of complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15928281• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryWhy You Literally Need to Touch Grass
Apr 2000:33:01Summary readyIn a previous episode on leisure, I talked about how fewer and fewer people are spending time outdoors. Today, the average child spends just minutes outside each day, a dramatic shift from how most of us grew up and from how humans have lived for thousands of years.In today’s episode of Office Hours, I explain why reconnecting with nature is essential for your happiness and well-being. Drawing on research from psychology and neuroscience, I show how time outdoors can reduce anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function, and even help you break free from the constant cycle of comparison and rumination.You might think your life is not compatible with spending more time outside. But the evidence suggests the opposite: you can’t afford not to. I share with you three practical ways to bring nature back into your daily life. I hope you try them and get outside to touch some grass!—Brought to you by:Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(05:14) How much time do people spend outdoors today?(07:10) Why we’re spending more time inside(11:05) What happens when you don’t get enough time outdoors(12:31) What happens when you add nature back in(19:08) #1: Spend as much time as you can outside(22:04) #2: Witness/touch nature(24:27) #3: Start a walking routine(26:36) Why you’ll enjoy being in nature more than you think(27:23) Lessons from transcendentalism(28:46) Q&A: The difference between happiness and joy(30:24) Q&A: Serving others without resentment—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur • Global survey finds we’re lacking fresh air and natural light, as we spend less time in nature: https://press.velux.com/new-global-survey-finds-were-lacking-fresh-air-and-natural-light-as-we-spend-less-time-in-nature• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036• Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2015/06/hiking-mental-health-063015• Why Is Nature Beneficial? The Role of Connectedness to Nature: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d8921893ec7066969f68df5/t/5d94da7035bc6f4984f509d1/1570036337561/the_role_of_connectedness_to_nature_on_positive_affect_2009.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Summary6 Big Lessons to Build Your Dream Life with Sahil Bloom
Apr 1300:49:48Summary readySahil Bloom is an entrepreneur and investor, and the author of the New York Times bestselling book The 5 Types of Wealth.Most of us chase success that doesn’t reflect what we truly value. In this episode, Sahil and I explore how to close that gap and live more intentionally—starting with the bold decision he made to move his family for more time with loved ones.We unpack the difference between what you want and what you wish you wanted, dive into the five types of wealth, and end with six practical lessons to help you build a life that actually aligns with your values.—Where to find Sahil Bloom:• X: https://x.com/SahilBloom• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sahil-Bloom-100086913108285• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0vZSXQHRGPNZMFAKPLJcww • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom• Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com• Newsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter —Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(03:33) Why Sahil relocated to live near his parents (08:58) The five types of wealth (10:51) Why it never hurts to reach out(13:07) When your actions don’t match your values (16:15) The case for auditing how your values and actions align(20:14) Why achievement alone doesn’t bring happiness (24:02) What a successful life actually is (30:40) Why struggle is necessary for true satisfaction(37:01) Suffering as proof of living (40:53) Sahil’s mistakes (45:30) 6 lessons to build the life you want —Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur • The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Wealth-Transformative-Guide-Design/dp/059372318X• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
SummaryHow to Create Your Calling
Apr 600:36:48Summary readyYour professional calling is a mysterious idea. It’s the ineffable sense that you are meant to do something. Many people get tripped up in their pursuit of their calling, because they conceive of it like buried treasure—something hidden that they must find. In truth, your calling can be built no matter your present circumstances. So, how do you do it?In this episode, I explain how to move from chasing an objective career—titles, status, money—to building a more subjective one based on what you care about and what genuinely interests you. I also share three simple steps to help you evaluate and shape your calling. If you stick with them, you’ll be more likely to end up doing work that feels meaningful—and, in turn, you’ll get happier.If you want to go deeper, check out my book, The Meaning of Your Life.—Where to find Arthur Brooks: • Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter • X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/• Email: officehours@arthurbrooks.com—Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:19) How to find what you’re meant to do(04:15) Work-ism and workaholism(06:04) 4 habits of the happiest people (07:13) What can we learn about our callings from religion?(13:33) Subjective vs. objective careers (15:19) Work-life balance vs. work-life integration (18:05) A misconception people make: calling isn’t just unusual talent(19:39) How do you find your calling?(19:42) #1. Look within (22:41) #2. Focus on fascination (27:45) #3. Serve others (31:35) Q&A #1: How can you positively influence others? (33:34) Q&A #2: Is retracing a career path not making progress?(34:53) Q&A #3: How can we help teenagers build their own happiness habits? (35:50) Outro—Referenced: • The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership • The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale • The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur • 6 science-backed ways to raise happiness at work: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/6-science-backed-ways-to-raise-happiness-and-success-at-work • If I work harder, will you love me? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/09/workaholic-love-practical-solutions/684353/ • ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Summary